The Western Wall is the most significant site in the world for the Jewish people. It is the last remnant from the Second Temple (after the First was razed to the ground) which was destroyed by the Babylonians in the year 70 C.E. The Western Wall is actually not even a part of the actual Temple, instead it is a part of the retaining wall that surrounded the Temple's fortification.
The Western Wall rests on a very sacred spot - Mount Moriah (now referred to as the "Temple Mount"). According to Jewish tradition, Mount Moriah is the place many events in Jewish history took place. It is believed that it is where the creation of the world began. Where Adam, the first man, was created. Where Abraham went to sacrifice his son Isaac. Where Jacob dreamed of angels going up and down a ladder to heaven. And finally, where both the First and Second Temple were built.
What is especially sacred, is that when the Second Temple was destroyed, all four retaining walls remained standing. The Western one, was the closest wall to the Temple's Holy of Holies (i.e. where the Ark of the Covenant was kept). Over the years, three of the walls have crumbled, but the western wall always remained steadfast and strong.
In 1948, on the very day that Israel became a country, a united Arab front of 7 countries attacked it's newest neighbor. Jerusalem, and the Western Wall, fell to the country of Jordan. For 19 years, Jews were barred from accessing the Western Wall. It was not until 1967, during the Six Day War, that the Israeli army was able to re-unite the city of Jerusalem and liberate the Western Wall.
Today, the Western Wall is accessible to all - Jews and non-Jews. Millions of visitors come each year, many of whom leave notes tucked in the cracks of the stones. Thousands of Jewish teens have their bar or bat mitzvah ceremonies at the Western Wall. Israeli soldiers come to the Western Wall for their induction ceremonies.
The outdoor section of the wall is 187 feet long. However, that is only the part of the wall that is exposed. In reality, the entire length of the wall is actually 1,600 feet long. The section of the wall that is not seen, is underground. It is underneath the streets and houses of the Old City of Jerusalem.
I believe that the Western Wall is a living testimony to the strength and resilience of the Jewish nation. Visiting the Kotel is at the top of the list.
